SC BAR

The Solo and Small Firm Section Council met on July 12, 2006, via conference call. Participating members included Bill Booth, Dennis Gerald, Aaron Kozloski and Dana Wilkinson. Representing the Bar staff were Terry Burnett, Joey Heape, Courtney Kennaday and Tara Smith.

 

Chairperson Booth called the meeting to order.

 

The first item of business was approval of the minutes from the December 5, 2005, meeting. Mr. Booth moved approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded, and it was approved.

 

Next was discussion on the Section Conference scheduled for October 5-6, 2006, at Embassy Suites in Columbia. Mr. Burnett briefly reviewed the seminar agenda and noted that all faculty members had been confirmed. He reported that the seminar would offer up to nine hours of CLE credit and that the registration fee was $280, which included lunch.

 

Mr. Burnett asked the Council whether to host the faculty dinner on Wednesday night or offer them a complimentary ticket to the Southern Patriot dinner tour. Mr. Kozloski moved that the faculty be provided a complimentary ticket to the Southern Patriot dinner tour scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 2006, in lieu of the faculty dinner. Mr. Dennis seconded the motion, and it was approved.

 

Ms. Smith reviewed the projected expenses involved with the dinner tour and asked the Council for input regarding the ticket price. After continued discussion, Mr. Booth moved to set the fee to attend the dinner tour at $45 per person, and $20 for children 12 and under. The motion was seconded, and it was approved. Due to budget constraints, it was noted that a cash bar would be provided.

 

Mr. Burnett was to email a draft of the brochure to Mr. Booth and Ms. Kennaday for review. It was requested that a brief description of the Southern Patriot be added to the registration brochure.

 

Next was discussion on vendor participation at the October Section Conference. Ms. Kennaday asked what the registration fee would be for each vendor. Mr. Burnett was to research and report his findings to Mr. Booth. It was suggested that vendors be offered the opportunity to sponsor refreshment breaks, lunch, etc. Mr. Booth and Mr. Burnett were to compile a list of potential vendors.

 

The next item of business was discussion on the 2007 Bar Convention. Mr. Booth announced that the Section CLE was scheduled for Friday, January 26, 2:15–5:30 p.m. He briefly reviewed the list of potential speakers and topics and welcomed feedback from the Council. After continued discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the following outline:

 

1-hour  
Winning Alternatives to the Billable Hour
Jim Calloway

 

30 minutes
Using Internet to Market Your Law Practice
Jim Calloway

 

45 minutes
Squeezing the Lemon: Making the Most Out of Your Practice
James L. Ward Jr.

 

45 minutes
Recent Developments in Professional Responsibility
Barbara Seymour

 

Ms. Smith was to contact Mr. Calloway to confirm his interest in speaking. Mr. Booth was to contact Mr. Ward and Ms. Seymour to gauge their interest in participating.

 

Mr. Burnett suggested including Mr. Calloway’s book, in addition to the course materials and noted that he could get a 40% discount from the ABA. He was to research the amount and report back to Mr. Booth.

 

Next was discussion on the FY2006-07 Section Goals. The following Section goals were approved:

* Sponsor or co-sponsor quarterly lunch and learns and/or seminars.
* Publish a Section newsletter.
* Provide “How-To’s” and other helpful information to solo and small firms through the Section list serve, in Eblast, and post on the Section Web site.
* Increase membership in the Solo and Small Firm Section.
* Promote and utilize the online Lawyer-to-Lawyer Directory.

 

Next was discussion on Section sponsored lunch and learn programs. Ms. Wilkinson was to coordinate towards the end of the year.  

 

Next was discussion on increasing the Section membership dues.  Ms. Smith reported that the dues were currently $15. Mr. Kozloski moved to increase the Section membership dues from $15 to $20. The motion was seconded, and it was approved.  

 

It was announced that future Council meetings would be conducted via conference call.

 

There begin no further business, the meeting was adjourned.